Fluid dispensing unit having a circulation system and a method for circulating a fluid in a fluid dispensing unit

Abstract

A dispensing unit having a circulation system for circulating a fluid in the dispensing unit is provided. The circulation system comprises, a circulation circuit, and a mechanism configured to circulate the fluid in the circulation circuit. By circulating the fluid, the fluid is counteracted from crystallizing. A method for circulating a fluid in a dispensing unit is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
 a housing having a circulation system configured to circulate a fluid in a first direction from a pump through a hose to a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of the hose, and in a second direction in which the fluid flows from the nozzle back to the pump, wherein the fluid only flows in the second direction when it is detected that the fuel dispenser is not used to refill a fluid and a sensor in the housing senses that a temperature of the fluid is below a predefined level. 
 
     
     
       2. The fuel dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the hose has a first fluid pathway that receives fluid flowing in the first direction, and a second fluid pathway that receives fluid flowing in the second direction. 
     
     
       3. The fuel dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flowing in the second direction flows through tubing coupled between a nozzle boot that seats the nozzle and the pump. 
     
     
       4. The fuel dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a heating element configured to heat the fluid in the circulation system. 
     
     
       5. The fuel dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the heating element is activated only when the sensor in the housing senses that the temperature of the fluid is below the predefined level. 
     
     
       6. The fuel dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a nozzle boot for seating the nozzle, and a nozzle sensor is disposed in the nozzle boot and is configured to sense when the nozzle is seated within the nozzle boot. 
     
     
       7. The fuel dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid is circulated in the second direction only when the nozzle sensor detects that the nozzle is seated in the nozzle boot.